You’ve got a story. Maybe it’s a local corruption scandal that’s keeping you up at night, or perhaps you’ve captured some wild footage of a natural disaster on your phone. Whatever it is, you want the world to see it, and you've decided that ABC News is the place to go. But here's the thing: everyone else is trying to do the exact same thing. Thousands of emails flood their servers every single day. If you want to contact ABC News and actually get a response, you can’t just yell into the void. You need a strategy.
Breaking Through the Noise at ABC News
First off, let’s be real. Sending a generic "To whom it may concern" email is basically the same as hitting the delete button yourself. ABC News is a massive machine. We're talking about a network that handles everything from Good Morning America to World News Tonight with David Muir and the investigative powerhouse Nightline. Each of these shows has its own personality, its own producers, and its own specific hunger for content.
If you're looking for the quickest way to get a tip to the right people, the general newsroom number in New York is (212) 456-7777. But honestly? Don't expect David Muir to pick up the phone. You'll likely hit a receptionist or a desk assistant. They are the gatekeepers. If you aren't prepared with a "pitch"—a 30-second explanation of why your story matters—they'll move on before you can finish your sentence.
The Power of the Digital Tip Box
Most people head straight for the contact form on the website. It's easy. It's right there. But it's also where the most clutter lives. If you use the ABC News "Submit a Tip" page, you need to be incredibly specific.
Don't just say "I have a story about a bad landlord."
Say "I have documents proving a landlord in downtown Chicago is illegally evicting veterans."
Specifics sell. Documentation wins.
Where to Send Your Specific Leads
Depending on what you have, you might want to bypass the general "news" bucket entirely. ABC News has specialized units that care about very different things.
Investigative Unit
This is where the heavy hitters live. If you have evidence of corporate fraud, government waste, or systemic abuse, this is your destination. They aren't looking for "he-said-she-said" drama. They want receipts. They want whistleblowers. You can often reach out to the investigative team via social media or through the secure dropboxes they sometimes publicize for high-stakes leaks.
Good Morning America (GMA)
GMA is a different beast. They love human interest stories. Did a kid in your town start a charity that’s gone viral? Did you witness a heroic rescue? GMA wants the "feels." You can reach them at (212) 456-7777, but honestly, tagging their official accounts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram with high-quality video is often faster. They have social media producers whose entire job is to hawk those feeds for "trending" content.
World News Tonight
This is the flagship. They want the biggest stories of the day. If you're standing in the middle of a hurricane or a major protest, this is where your footage belongs. They need "breaking" news.
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The Art of the Pitch
Let's talk about the email. If you're going to contact ABC News via email, your subject line is your only hope.
- Bad Subject Line: Story Idea
- Better Subject Line: BREAKING: Video of Water Main Break in Houston
- Best Subject Line: EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Documents Show City Council Overspending (Attached)
Keep the body of the email short. Journalists are busy. They're overworked. They’re probably on their fourth cup of coffee and looking at a deadline that was due ten minutes ago. Tell them:
- What happened.
- Why it matters now.
- What proof you have (photos, video, documents).
- How to reach you immediately.
Include your phone number. If a producer likes what they see, they won't email you back and wait three hours for a reply. They will call you within minutes. If you don't answer, they move to the next person.
Using Social Media Without Looking Like a Bot
Social media is a double-edged sword. You can tag @ABC, @ABCNews, or @GMA, but so do five million other people. The "pro tip" here is to find the specific producers or correspondents who cover your topic.
If you have a tech story, don't just tag the main account. Find the tech reporters. Look at the credits at the end of a segment. See a name? Search for them on LinkedIn or X. Most journalists have their DMs open or their work email listed in their bio. This is the "backdoor" that actually works. It's more personal. It shows you've done your homework.
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What About Secure Leaks?
Sometimes, the information you have is dangerous. If you are a whistleblower, you shouldn't just send an unencrypted email from your work computer. That’s a fast track to getting fired—or worse.
ABC News, like many major outlets, uses secure methods for sensitive information. While they don't always advertise a specific "SecureDrop" on every page, you can often find instructions for encrypted communication by looking for their investigative journalists' profiles. Using Signal or WhatsApp with disappearing messages is a common starting point, but always check their latest official guidance on "secure tips" to ensure you're protected.
Why They Might Ignore You (And How to Fix It)
It hurts, but it happens. You send a tip, and... silence.
Sometimes your story just isn't "big" enough for national news. ABC is looking for stories with national impact. If your trash wasn't picked up this morning, that's a local news story. Call your local ABC affiliate instead. Every major city has one (like WABC in New York or KABC in Los Angeles). These affiliates are often the "farm system" for the national network. If your story blows up locally, the national desk will pick it up.
Another reason? Lack of visuals. We live in a visual age. If you have a great story but zero photos or video, it’s a hard sell for TV. If you're reporting a physical event, get your camera out. Landscape mode, please. Nobody likes those vertical black bars on a 70-inch TV screen.
Actionable Steps to Get Heard
If you’re ready to reach out right now, follow this checklist. Don’t skip steps.
Identify your target. Is this for the local affiliate or the national desk? Is it a "GMA" feel-good story or a "Nightline" investigation?
Gather your evidence. Scan the documents. Move the video from your phone to a cloud drive like Google Drive or Dropbox so you can send a link instead of a massive attachment that might bounce.
Write a "Hook" subject line. Use words like "EXCLUSIVE," "BREAKING," or "WHISTLEBLOWER" only if they actually apply.
Call the desk if it's urgent. For breaking news that's happening this second, call (212) 456-7777 and ask for the "Assignment Desk." That is the heart of the newsroom.
Follow up once. If you don't hear back in 24 hours, send one polite follow-up email. After that, let it go or try a different network. Stalking producers is a quick way to get your email address blacklisted.
Check your local listings. Sometimes the best way to contact ABC News is to start with the people in your own backyard. Search for "ABC affiliate [Your City]" and find their "Report a Tip" link. They are much more likely to pick up the phone on the first ring.
News moves fast. If you have something real, don't sit on it. The window of "newsworthiness" closes faster than you think. Get your facts straight, keep your pitch tight, and be ready to talk when the phone rings.